Filming of Coronation Street was halted for the first time in a decade yesterday so that staff could attend the memorial service of Sara Roache, wife of Bill Roache, who plays Ken Barlow. Around 200 mourners flocked to the 13th century St Bartholomew’s Church in Wilmslow to pay their respects to the 58-year-old actress.

Coronation Street veteran Bill, in a tearful tribute to his wife, said: "When I first met Sara, 35 years ago, she was a young, beautiful, vibrant girl and only a few days ago she was still young, beautiful and vibrant – the perfect wife in every way." Apparently, Bill Roache – who joined the Corrie cast nearly 50 years ago, making him the longest serving soap actor – has been told to take off as much time as he needs.

It’s a sad time, what with this and the news that Kym Marsh’s son (with Hollyoaks’ Jamie Lomas )had died after being born 18 weeks premature. Kym, 32, who plays barmaid Michelle Connor, gave birth to Archie Jay Lomas last week, but sadly he died moments later. The former Hear’Say singer had been working on the programme during her pregnancy and was due to take maternity leave in the summer.

Bosses decided to alter some scenes to give grieving stars enough time off. The last time that filming was cancelled was in 1999 when Corrie stalwart Bryan Mosley, who played shopkeeper Alf Roberts, died.

If you’d like to leave any messages of support to the stars that are now in mourning, please feel free to do so by adding a comment.

Join me on Friday for more soap news and gossip and the results of last week’scaption competition. There’s still time to enter so get scribbling. Got a comment about your favourite soap, this blog or anything else? Share it with me.

Kym & Jamie, Im so sorry to hear about your baby. God saw your beautiful angel and wanted him for himself, know matter what your son will always be thurght of. Your son\’s memories will always be with you. Everyones thinking about use and I hope use are ok. xxxBill, Im so sorry to hear about your wife and i hope you ok. xxxSeana xx

LEE. we all think it will never happen to us, and that is when we all find out we are all the same no matter what are jobs are or where we stand in this life, so that is why we all know what you are going through and send are love and most of all are strenght.

am so sorry to hear about your 18 week old baby boy kym i am thinking of you at this sad time take care with every thing your a great actress keep it up you were even a good singer when you were in hear say. i will always was be thinking of you at this sad time.

Bill I had the good fortune to meet you and your family when you were holidaying in Abersoch in 1989. I am so sorry to hear she has passed away. My thoughts and best wishes are with you and your family.

Sorry about the death of your baby, Kym. My thoughts are with you. And my sympathies are also with you Bill. Whilst watching yourself and your wife on Mr&Mrs you could see that the two of you were deeply in love.

sorry to ere about the loss michelle it is not a nice thing for any parent to go through this is a really sadtime for u and your family and bill this is the most awful thing that any one can go through losing a wife mother and grandmother THNKING ABOUT U ALL MICHELLE AND FAMILY AND BILL AND FAMILY ITS IS A GREAT LOSS

My best wishes go out to both of the Corrie stars and my deepest sympathy to Mr Roache over the tragic unsuspecting tragedy that has hit him and his family and my sympathy also to Ms Marsh over the very sad loss of her baby. There are no words to be said that will bring or give comfort and certainly \’no cliches\’. I am sure you both realise by now though that there are a lot of people whose thoughts you are in. May the forthcoming year get better for you and your families. Ann Wright. Old Woking, Surrey

to bill and kym i\’m so sorry for both your losses..no words can make either of you feel any better in your time of grief..but it is true that time is a great healer all the best to both of yu for the future..kathy from leeds